**Tell a story only you can tell.**

A new five-week online writing workshop from The HerStories Project and HerStories Writers, starting Monday, February 24th.

Join us.

Now is the time to tell your story.

This interactive course will be about building a community of midlife women who learn from each other and support each other, as they are guided through lessons and workshops on writing a memorable personal essay.

Week 1: Finding Ideas

Brainstorm memories and experiences. Identify the elements of a successful personal essay. Build a writing routine.

Week 2: Dig For Truth

Learn how to reach beyond your personal experience to reveal larger, more universal truths. Practice conveying big ideas with small moments.

Week 3: Build Scenes

Learn how to balance active scenes with clear narration. Shape a beginning, middle, and end.

Week 4: Revision

Practice strategies for improving first drafts.

Week 5: Workshop

I have hinted that I would often jerk poor Queequeg from between the whale.

Here’s how the class will work:

Daily Lessons

A text or video lesson each Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, along with PDFs and handouts.

Weekly Assignments

Turn in a short assignment to the instructor each week and get individualized feedback from her and your class members.

Assigned Readings

Read and discuss examples of powerful personal essays. Learn about the elements of effective essays.

Weekly Live Chats

A private online community (outside of Facebook) for only the members of this class will host optional live chats for the class community.

Office Hours

Within the class community, the instructor will hold office hours several times during the week. Ask questions, get support, and feedback.

Critique of Final Essay

The last week of the class will include a structured critique workshop. Each student will receive feedback from the instructor and other class members on a final draft.